The KC World Series brought together a deep collection of talent across the 14U through 17U/18U divisions with plenty of high-level programs making their way through the event. The weekend featured a steady stream of quality matchups across the 168 teams, played out at Homefield, Creekside and 5 different quality offsite locations. The 17U/18U division carried plenty of depth with programs with some making strong pushes throughout the weekend. The 15U and 16U divisions were equally competitive with several teams separating themselves as play progressed. Offense was on display throughout the weekend with numerous teams putting up crooked numbers, while several pitching staffs showed the ability to control games and limit quality offenses. With the volume of games and amount of talent in the field, there was no shortage of intriguing follows and strong performances to keep an eye on as the summer circuit continues. That being said, Let's get into our staff picks for the KC World Series standouts. 

2027 MIF Skyler Bernbeck (Blue Valley, KS): Hit leadoff throughout the weekend for the 17U/18U champions and showed plenty of explosiveness in the box. Bernbeck creates space with his hands in the load, allowing for a quick barrel turn through the zone and giving him a chance to get the barrel out front with authority. The explosiveness in his hands translates to impressive bat speed and impact, allowing him to drive the baseball despite the compact nature of the swing. His biggest moment came in the bracket win over BC Cope, where he launched a monster home run to help send Smith into the semifinals. The combination of explosive hands, quick barrel turn and game power made him one of the more impressive offensive performers throughout the weekend.

2027 RHP Jake Busse (Olathe Northwest, KS): The Oklahoma commit showed a strong combination of size, explosiveness and stuff on the mound throughout the KC World Series. At 6-foot-7, Busse creates plenty of downhill angle from a long, athletic frame and showed the ability to attack hitters with a fastball that has been up to 95 mph. The fastball plays with life through the zone, while his slider gives him a quality secondary look with tight spin and enough velocity to miss bats. Busse also showed the ability to mix his pitches and keep hitters from sitting on one look, giving him multiple ways to work through an opposing lineup. His combination of physicality, velocity and secondary pitch quality made him one of the more intriguing arms on the Prime 27:17 roster.

2027 OF Hudson Leonard (Sunnyvale, TX): The DBU commit put together a strong weekend in the lead off spot for the KC World Series finalist, providing a physical presence in the lineup and consistently putting pressure on opposing pitching. At 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Leonard brings a strong frame to the box with plenty of strength behind the swing. The left-handed hitter showed the ability to drive the baseball with authority while staying within himself at the plate, giving Wow Factor another quality bat in a lineup that helped carry the club into the championship game. Leonard’s combination of physicality, offensive impact and power potential made him one of the more notable performers for Wow Factor Texas 2027 throughout the weekend.

2027 RHP Connor Harris (Fort Osage, MO): Harris showed well at the KC World Series, topping out at 89 mph with a fastball that played well off his delivery. Harris works with a steady tempo and gets down the mound with a drop-and-drive type delivery, using a moderate leg lift before opening into his stride. He finishes with some fall-off after landing and works from a loose, long arm action out of a high three-quarter slot. The arm works freely and gives him a good look at the plate. He attacked with the fastball and mixed in his secondary pitches, showing enough feel to keep hitters from sitting on one pitch.

2027 OF Malachi Leichner (Maize, KS): Leichner had a big weekend at the KC World Series, hitting three home runs over the course of the tournament. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitter showed good pop in the bat with quick hands and a short path that allowed him to get the barrel to the ball on time. Leichner showed that the power plays in games, doing damage when he got pitches he could handle. The two sport athlete showed good athleticism and speed, giving him another way to impact the game once he gets on base. The three-homer weekend was a strong showing from Leichner and one of the better offensive performances from the weekend.

 Tournament Champions

17U/18U Open

Champion

Building Champions 17U Smith put together a strong run through the 17U/18U bracket, ultimately taking down Wow Factor Texas 2027 in the championship game. Skylar Bernbeck was one of the biggest offensive catalysts for Smith throughout the weekend, coming up with a monster home run in the win over Building Champions Cope to help push Building Champions Smith into the semifinals. Cade Wilson also went 9-14 at the plate in the KC World Series coming up big for his team while scoring and hitting runners in. Smith's team provided plenty of offensive power throughout the weekend, adding up a total of 67 runs scored on the weekend. The combination of offensive depth and quality pitching allowed them to navigate a loaded bracket and finish the weekend with the championship.

Finalist

Wow Factor Texas 2027 put together one of the stronger runs in the 17U/18U field, earning a spot in the championship game after consistently finding ways to create offense throughout the weekend. Hudson Leonard and Dawson Stokan were two of the more notable performers for the Texas club, providing offensive production and helping keep pressure on opposing pitching throughout the bracket. The lineup's ability to string together quality at-bats and capitalize on opportunities helped carry Wow Factor Texas 2027 into the title game, where they ultimately finished as the runner-up to Building Champions 17U Smith.

16U Open

Champion

Building Champions 16U Cisneros put together a strong weekend in the 16U field, highlighted by a 13-6 win over Quad State Kings KC 2028 and a 10-2 win over Sandlot 16U-Roberts. Cisneros continued to find ways to produce offensively throughout the weekend while getting enough from the pitching staff to keep opposing offenses in check. The lineup consistently created pressure and put together big innings when opportunities presented themselves, helping Cisneros work their way through a competitive 16U field. The strong offensive production and ability to control games ultimately carried Cisneros to the KC World Series championship.

Finalist

AASA A's 16U put together a strong weekend in the 16U field, consistently finding ways to stay competitive and manufacture runs throughout the tournament. The A's showed the ability to compete against quality opponents while continuing to put pressure on opposing pitching and capitalize when opportunities presented themselves. Their ability to stay consistent throughout the weekend helped carry them into the championship game, where they ultimately finished as the finalist behind Building Champions 16U Cisneros.

15U Open

Champion

Old School Ducks 15U White put together a strong weekend in the 15U field, consistently finding ways to put pressure on opposing pitching throughout the tournament. The Ducks opened with a 9-2 win over Kansas Premier 15U before adding a 12-4 win over SEK Blue Sox, continuing to produce offensively as they worked their way through the bracket. The lineup consistently created opportunities and put runs on the board, while the pitching staff did enough to keep opposing offenses from building momentum. The combination of offensive production and consistent play helped Old School Ducks 15U White work through a competitive field and finish the weekend as the 15U champions.

Finalist
Kansas Premier 15U put together a strong weekend in the 15U field, competing against a deep group of teams and finding ways to stay in games throughout the tournament. The club showed the ability to manufacture offense and create pressure against opposing pitching while continuing to compete in different game situations. Their consistency throughout the weekend helped carry Kansas Premier 15U into the championship game, where they ultimately finished as the finalist behind Old School Ducks 15U White.

14U Open

Champion

Patriot Sports Club put together a strong weekend in the 14U field, consistently finding ways to create offensive production and pressure opposing pitching throughout the tournament. Patriot opened with a 14-5 win over MBC 14U - Briley before adding a 13-0 win over 3T's Dawgs - Wadle, continuing to produce offensively as they worked their way through the bracket. The lineup consistently created opportunities and put runs on the board, while the pitching staff helped keep opposing offenses from building momentum. The combination of offensive production and consistent play helped Patriot Sports Club work through a competitive field and finish the weekend as the 14U champions.

Finalist

YBC United 14U put together a strong weekend in the 14U field, consistently finding ways to produce offensively and stay competitive throughout the tournament. The club continued to put pressure on opposing pitching while creating opportunities throughout the lineup and competing in a variety of game situations. Their consistent play throughout the weekend helped carry YBC United 14U into the championship game, where they ultimately finished as the finalist behind Patriot Sports Club.